The Ice Pirates (1984)

11% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(8,805 ratings)

In this undistinguished parody of the sci fi genre, Robert Urich is Jason who leads a band of pirates in redistributing the wealth of the few to the coffers of the needy. He also joins up with Princess Karina Mary Crosby in searching for her father and a possible source of water in the next galaxy.… More In this undistinguished parody of the sci fi genre, Robert Urich is Jason who leads a band of pirates in redistributing the wealth of the few to the coffers of the needy. He also joins up with Princess Karina Mary Crosby in searching for her father and a possible source of water in the next galaxy. Meant to be a campy romp through the sci fi genre, the film stops short of achieving a goal that should have been effortless. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Stewart Raffill
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 16, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Feb 15, 2005
Studio: MGM/UA Entertainment Company

Critic Reviews

Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
The robot pimp made me laugh, and that's it.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Stupid, stupid, stupid... but amusing.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...it all gets pretty crazy pretty fast in an attempt to inject as many dumb antics as possible into as many minutes as the movie's budget can afford.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Everything about The Ice Pirates is done in fun, of course; it's just that much of it is overdone.
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com
A throwaway scifi comedy perfect for Saturday afternoon television matinees.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
It'll really frost you

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Bizarre flick frankly, swings from kids adventure in some places to quite adult material in others. Its a full mix of 'Mad Max' 'Star Wars' 'Krull' and 'Star Trek' with 'Pirates of the Caribbean' character types at the helm. Completely… More
Bizarre flick frankly, swings from kids adventure in some places to quite adult material in others. Its a full mix of 'Mad Max' 'Star Wars' 'Krull' and 'Star Trek' with 'Pirates of the Caribbean' character types at the helm. Completely hokey to the max with idea rip off's left right and centre plus a casual made for TV look. The cast is epic (check an early Ron Perlman) but they are all let down by this weird plot that makes no real sense. Its almost fun but a little too off the wall too I'm afraid, it tries to fit in way too much into one film and the effects are pretty dodgy as well, dodgy now and dodgy back then. I liked it as a kid but now it just seems rather stupid and cheesy, and shouldn't it be called 'The Water Pirates'?
AJ V

This movie has some charm, but for the most part it's very uncertain of itself. Is it a parody or spoof? Is it a serious sci-fi movie? Should the jokes be adult or kiddie? Well, it's got a little of everything, sci-fi, comedy, action, adventure, romance, and a strange… More
This movie has some charm, but for the most part it's very uncertain of itself. Is it a parody or spoof? Is it a serious sci-fi movie? Should the jokes be adult or kiddie? Well, it's got a little of everything, sci-fi, comedy, action, adventure, romance, and a strange ending. I couldn't make up my mind whether I liked it or not, so I'll just say it was okay. There are some really funny scenes, though, and that's what I liked the most about it.
Daniel H

An utterly terrible, bumbling mess of camp and sci-fi. And, for that reason, thoroughly enjoyable for its ridiculousness. Buxom space amazons riding unicorns? Space herpes? Conveyor-belt assembly-line castration devices? Bumbling chippendale battle robots? An overlooked B-Film that… More
An utterly terrible, bumbling mess of camp and sci-fi. And, for that reason, thoroughly enjoyable for its ridiculousness. Buxom space amazons riding unicorns? Space herpes? Conveyor-belt assembly-line castration devices? Bumbling chippendale battle robots? An overlooked B-Film that delivers an endless amount of confusing, ridiculous throw-away plot elements. While it won't earn it high scores, to its credit, it never becomes tedious or boring. A hasty, tongue-in-cheek madcap adventure that fails to impress, but succeeds in keeping your attention.
Lafe F

Corny and fun; not as bad as I thought it would be. Almost as goofy as Monty Python and the Holy Grail in space. It's a silly runaround on a space ship and a planet though. Bruce Vilanch is a weird thing.
Chad R

HAHA - This makes the Campy/Corny 80's flicks list for sure. Actual smart ass space pirates (with swords even) trying to rid the evil bad guys of their extra water, which has become the most valuable substance in the universe. I know, I know - they can build spaceships and… More
HAHA - This makes the Campy/Corny 80's flicks list for sure. Actual smart ass space pirates (with swords even) trying to rid the evil bad guys of their extra water, which has become the most valuable substance in the universe. I know, I know - they can build spaceships and laser guns, faster than light travel and cool, funky, jive turkey, kung fu knowing, break dancing robots and they can't figure out how to combine hydrogen and oxygen. Robert Urich plays the enigmatic, charming pirate with the heart of gold. You also have John Matusak from Caveman (also Sloth from Goonies), Ron Perlman, and John Carradine. Oh and Michael D. Roberts as the typical 1980s Token funny black guy. And he was a kick! My favorite character asides from the Karate Robot. Short, Not serious, goofy and funny with some campy space action. Still decent to watch today. Yes Joby, It was on HBO ALL the time when we were kids!
Leo L

Hilarious!

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Robert Urich as Jason

            Mary Crosby as Princess Karina

            Michael D. Roberts as Roscoe

            Anjelica Huston as Maida

            John Matuszak as Killjoy

            Ron Perlman as Zeno

            John Carradine as Supreme Commander

            Ian Abercrombie as Hymie

            Todd Allen as Stunts

            Billy Bates as Stunts

            Gary Brockette as Percy the Robot

            Natalie Core as Nanny

            Carmen Filpi as Vendor

            John Gillespie as Dogbite

            Marcia Lewis as Frog Lady

            Patty Maloney as Waitress

            Myron Natwick as Karina's Father

            Bob Ozman as Stunts

            Daryl Roach as Fitzcairn

            Max von Sydow
            
            Robert Symonds as Lanky Nibs

            Rockne Tarkington as Patch

            Bruce Vilanch as Wendon

            Jeremy West as Zorn

            Hank Worden as Elderly Jason

            Steffen Zacharias as Prisoner

            Alan Caillou as Count Paisley

            Kenny Endoso as Stunts

            Alan R. Gibbs as Stunts

            Shane McCamey as Templar Crewman

            Eddie Paul
            
            Diana Webster as Seamstress

            Larry Charles White as Stunts

            Ric Young as Debs

            Raymond Skipp as Doper

            Debra Troyer as Blonde Girl

            Alan Jones as Stunts

            Richard Young
            
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